U.S. patent application number 13/957178 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for child restraint for vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Berry Plastics Corporation. Invention is credited to Walter S. Bezaniuk, Ward A. Fritz, Eric Hyman, Joseph D. Langley, Andrew W. Marsden.
Application Number | 20130313873 13/957178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44901472 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130313873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fritz; Ward A. ; et
al. |
November 28, 2013 |
CHILD RESTRAINT FOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint
harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a
seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat
bottom. The juvenile seat also includes a headrest mounted for
up-and-down movement on the seat back relative to the seat
bottom.
Inventors: |
Fritz; Ward A.; (Westwood,
MA) ; Marsden; Andrew W.; (Hingham, MA) ;
Bezaniuk; Walter S.; (Berkley, MA) ; Langley; Joseph
D.; (Foxboro, MA) ; Hyman; Eric; (South
Grafton, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Berry Plastics Corporation |
Evansville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44901472 |
Appl. No.: |
13/957178 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13101006 |
May 4, 2011 |
8517467 |
|
|
13957178 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2821 20130101;
B60N 2/286 20130101; B60N 2002/2815 20130101; B60N 2/2806 20130101;
B60N 2/2863 20130101; B60N 2/265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/26 20060101
B60N002/26 |
Claims
1. A child restraint comprising a juvenile seat including a seat
bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, the
seat bottom including a seat pan having a rearward edge located
near to the seat back and an opposite forward edge located away
from the seat back and a seat skirt appended to the seat pan and
arranged to cooperate with the seat pan to define a controller
space located under the seat pan, the seat pan being formed to
include a crotch-belt slot arranged to open into the controller
space and to extend in a direction away from the rearward edge of
the seat pan and the seat back and toward the opposite forward edge
of the seat pan, a child-restraint harness including a shoulder
belt arranged to extend upwardly along a rear surface of the seat
back, through a belt-travel channel formed in the seat back, a
crotch belt arranged to extend upwardly through the crotch-belt
slot, and a shoulder-belt retainer coupled to the crotch belt to
move therewith, the shoulder-belt retainer being separated from the
shoulder belt when the child-restraint harness is configured in an
inactive state and coupled to the shoulder belt to interconnect the
shoulder belt and the crotch belt when the child-restraint harness
is configured in an active state, and a crotch-belt controller
located in the controller space under the seat pan and configured
to provide position-variation means for allowing movement of the
crotch belt in the crotch-belt slot toward and away from the seat
back while the child-restraint harness is configured to assume the
inactive state between a first position adapted for use with a
relatively small child and located a first distance from the seat
back and located a first depth below the seat pan and a second
position adapted for use by a relatively larger child and located a
relatively larger second distance from the seat back and located a
relatively smaller second depth below the seat pan and for
anchoring the crotch belt in one of the first and the second
positions at the option of a caregiver before the shoulder-belt
retainer coupled to the crotch belt is coupled to the shoulder belt
to establish the active state of the child-restraint harness so
that spacing between the crotch belt and the seat back in the
active state of the child-restraint harness is matched to the size
of a child seated on the seat pan.
2. The child restraint of claim 1, wherein the crotch-belt
controller includes a connecting rod coupled to the crotch belt to
move therewith and a controller foundation formed to include a
downwardly opening first rod-receiving notch, the connecting rod is
positioned to lie in the downwardly opening first rod-receiving
notch when the connecting rod is in the first position, the
downwardly opening first rod-receiving notch is defined in part by
a first inner side wall included in the controller foundation and
the first inner side wall cooperates with a seat-back reference
line associated with the seat back to define the first distance and
a downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch, the connecting rod
is positioned to lie in the downwardly opening second rod-receiving
notch when the connecting rod is in the second position, the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch is defined in part by
a second inner side wall included in the controller foundation and
the second inner side wall cooperates with the seat-back reference
line to define the relatively larger second distance.
3. The child restraint of claim 2, wherein the downwardly opening
first rod-receiving notch is further defined by a first bottom wall
that cooperates with a seat-pan reference line associated with the
seat pan to define the first depth therebetween and the connecting
rod touches the first bottom wall when the connecting rod is in the
first position and the downwardly opening second rod-receiving
notch is further defined by a second bottom wall that cooperates
with the seat-pan reference line to define the relatively smaller
second depth therebetween and the connecting rod touches the second
bottom wall when the connecting rod is in the second position.
4. The child restraint of claim 1, wherein the crotch-belt
controller includes a connecting rod coupled to the crotch belt to
move therewith and a controller foundation formed to include a
downwardly opening first rod-receiving notch and a downwardly
opening second rod-receiving notch spaced apart from the downwardly
opening first rod-receiving notch, the downwardly opening first
rod-receiving notch is defined by a first bottom wall that
cooperates with a seat-pan reference line associated with the seat
pan to define the first depth therebetween and the connecting rod
touches the first bottom wall when the connecting rod is in the
first position, and the downwardly opening second rod-receiving
notch is further defined by a second bottom wall that cooperates
with the seat-pan reference line to define the relatively smaller
second depth therebetween and the connecting rod touches the second
bottom wall when the connecting rod is in the second position.
5. The child restraint of claim 4, wherein the controller
foundation includes a first foundation flange appended to an inner
surface of the seat pan arranged to face away from the seat back
and a second foundation flange appended to the inner surface of the
seat pan and positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to the
first foundation flange to locate the crotch-belt slot
therebetween.
6. The child restraint of claim 5, wherein the first and the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notches cooperate to define
a retention-notch reference line and an acute angle is defined
between the retention-notch reference line and the seat-pan
reference line.
7. The child restraint of claim 6, wherein the acute angle is about
30 degrees.
8. The child restraint of claim 5, wherein the first foundation
flange has a trapezoidal shape defined by a first leg coupled to
the inner surface of the seat pan, a first base intersecting the
first leg to define about a right angle therebetween to cause the
first base to extend away from the inner surface of the seat pan, a
second leg intersecting the first base to define an included acute
angle therebetween, and a second base arranged to interconnect the
first and the second legs.
9. The child restraint of claim 8, wherein the included acute angle
is about 60 degrees.
10. The child restraint of claim 4, wherein the first and the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notches cooperate to define
a retention-notch reference line and an acute angle is defined
between the retention-notch reference line and the seat-pan
reference line.
11. The child restraint of claim 10, wherein the acute angle is
about 30 degrees.
12. A child restraint comprising a juvenile seat including a seat
bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, the
seat bottom formed to include a crotch-belt slot arranged to open
into a controller space formed in the seat bottom, a
child-restraint harness including a shoulder belt arranged to
extend upwardly along a rear surface of the seat back, through a
belt-travel channel formed in the seat back, a crotch belt arranged
to extend upwardly through the crotch-belt slot, and a
shoulder-belt retainer coupled to the crotch belt to move
therewith, and a crotch-belt controller including a controller
foundation coupled to the seat bottom and positioned to lie in the
controller space and a connecting rod coupled to the crotch belt in
the controller space to move therewith during movement of the
crotch belt in the crotch-belt slot toward and away from the seat
back between a first position in which the shoulder-belt retainer
is located a first retainer distance from the seat bottom and a
second position in which the shoulder-belt retainer is located a
relatively larger second retainer distance from the seat
bottom.
13. The child restraint of claim 12, wherein the crotch belt when
in the first position is located a first belt distance from the
seat back and when in the second position is located a relatively
larger second distance from the seat back.
14. The child restraint of claim 13, wherein the controller
foundation is formed to include a downwardly opening first
rod-receiving notch, the connecting rod is positioned to lie in the
downwardly opening first rod-receiving notch when the connecting
rod is in the first position, and a downwardly opening second
rod-receiving notch, the connecting rod is positioned to lie in the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch when the connecting
rod is in the second position.
15. The child restraint of claim 14, wherein the downwardly opening
first rod-receiving notch is defined in part by a first inner side
wall included in the controller foundation and the first inner side
wall cooperates with a seat-back reference line associated with the
seat back to define the first belt distance and the first retainer
distance and the downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch is
defined in part by a second inner side wall included in the
controller foundation and the second inner side wall cooperates
with the seat-back reference line to define the relatively larger
second belt distance and the relatively larger second retainer
distance.
16. The child restraint of claim 12, wherein the controller
foundation is formed to include a downwardly opening first
rod-receiving notch and a downwardly opening second rod-receiving
notch spaced apart from the downwardly opening first rod-receiving
notch, the connecting rod is positioned to lie in the downwardly
opening first rod-receiving notch when the connecting rod is in the
first position, the connecting rod is positioned to lie in the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch when the connecting
rod is in the second position, and the first and the downwardly
opening second rod-receiving notches cooperate to define a
retention-notch reference line and an acute angle is defined
between the retention-notch reference line and a seat-bottom
reference line associated with the seat bottom.
17. The child restraint of claim 16, wherein the acute angle is
about 30 degrees.
18. A child restraint comprising a juvenile seat including a seat
bottom, a seat back arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat
bottom, and a movable headrest mounted for up-and-down movement on
the seat back relative to the seat bottom between a first headrest
position in which the movable headrest is positioned to lie a first
height above the seat bottom and a second headrest position in
which the movable headrest is positioned to lie a relatively
greater second height above the seat bottom, the seat bottom being
formed to include a crotch-belt slot arranged to open into a
controller space formed in the seat bottom, a child-restraint
harness including a shoulder belt arranged to extend upwardly along
a rear surface of the seat back, through a belt-travel channel
formed in the seat back, and through a belt-receiving aperture
formed in the movable headrest, a crotch belt arranged to extend
upwardly through the crotch-belt slot, and a shoulder-belt retainer
coupled to the crotch belt to move therewith, and a crotch-belt
controller including a controller foundation coupled to the seat
bottom and positioned to lie in the controller space and a
connecting rod coupled to the crotch belt in the controller space
to move therewith between a first position in which the crotch belt
is located a first belt distance from the seat back and a second
position in which the crotch belt is located a relatively larger
second belt distance from the seat back, and means for coordinating
movement of the crotch belt with movement of the movable headrest
to cause the crotch belt to be moved to one of the first and second
positions in response to movement of the movable headrest to one of
the first and second headrest positions so that movement of an
occupant sitting on the juvenile seat and restrained by the
child-restraint harness is minimized during application of an
external force to the juvenile seat and so that comfort of the
occupant sitting on the juvenile seat and being restrained by the
child-restraint harness is maximized.
19. The child restraint of claim 18, wherein the means for
coordinating movement includes an upper visual indicator coupled to
the shoulder belt to move therewith during movement of the movable
headrest relative to the seat bottom and a lower visual indicator
coupled to the crotch belt to move therewith and the upper visual
indicator includes a first symbol coupled to an outer surface of
the shoulder belt arranged to face away from the movable headrest
and a second symbol coupled to the outer surface of the shoulder
belt in spaced-apart relation to the first symbol and the first
symbol is positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to a front
surface of the seat back when the movable headrest is in the first
headrest position in which the movable headrest is positioned to
lie the first height above the seat bottom.
20. The child restraint of claim 19, wherein the lower visual
indicator includes a first symbol coupled to an outer surface of
the crotch belt and is arranged to face away from the seat back and
a second symbol coupled to the outer surface of the crotch belt and
the first symbol of the lower visual indicator is positioned to lie
in spaced-apart relation above the outer surface of the seat bottom
when the crotch belt is in the first position.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
13/101,006, filed May 4, 2011, which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to child restraints, and
particularly to child restraints for use on passenger seats in
vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a
child restraint including a base held in place on an underlying
passenger seat by an anchor belt coupled to the vehicle and a
juvenile seat coupled to the base.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to the present disclosure, a child restraint
includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to
the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a
seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The
child-restraint harness includes a shoulder belt coupled to the
seat back and a crotch belt coupled to the seat bottom.
[0004] In illustrative embodiments, the seat bottom includes a seat
pan adapted to support an occupant sitting on the juvenile seat and
a seat skirt coupled to the seat pan to raise the seat pan. The
seat pan includes a rearward edge located adjacent to the seat back
and an opposite forward edge located away from the seat back. The
seat pan is also formed to include an elongated crotch-belt slot
arranged to extend in a forward direction away from the rearward
edge and the seat back toward the forward edge of the seat pan.
[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the child restraint further
includes a crotch-belt controller located under the seat pan in a
controller space formed in the seat bottom. The crotch-belt
controller is configured to provide position-variation means for
allowing movement of the crotch belt in the crotch-belt slot toward
and away from the seat back between a first position adapted for
use with a relatively small child and located a first distance from
the seat back and a second position adapted for use by a relatively
larger child and located a relatively larger second distance from
the seat back and for anchoring the crotch belt in one of the first
and the second positions at the option of the caregiver so that
spacing between the crotch belt and the seat back is matched to the
size of the child seated on the seat pan.
[0006] In illustrative embodiments, the crotch-belt controller
includes a connecting rod coupled to the crotch belt to move
therewith and a controller foundation formed to include a
downwardly opening first rod-receiving notch and a downwardly
opening second rod-receiving notch. The connecting rod is
positioned to lie in the first rod-receiving notch when the
connecting rod is in the first position. The first rod-receiving
notch is defined in part by a first inner side wall included in the
controller foundation and the first inner side wall cooperates with
a seat-back reference line associated with the seat back to define
the first distance. The connecting rod is positioned to lie in the
downwardly opening second rod-receiving notch when the connecting
rod is in the second position. The second rod-receiving notch is
defined in part by a second inner side wall included in the
controller foundation and the second inner side wall cooperates
with the seat-back reference line to define the relatively larger
second distance.
[0007] According to the present disclosure, a child restraint
includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to
the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom, a seat
back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a movable
headrest mounted on the seat back for up-and-down movement relative
to the seat back. The child-restraint harness includes a shoulder
belt coupled to the seat back and a crotch belt coupled to the seat
bottom.
[0008] In illustrative embodiments, the child restraint further
includes means for coordinating movement of the crotch belt with
the movement of the movable headrest. The means for coordinating
movement causes the crotch belt to be moved to a predetermined
position relative to the seat bottom in response to movement of the
movable headrest. As a result, movement of an occupant sitting on
the juvenile seat and restrained by the child-restraint harness is
minimized during application of an external force to the juvenile
seat and comfort of the occupant is maximized.
[0009] In illustrative embodiments, the means for coordinating
includes an upper visual indicator and a lower visual indicator.
The upper visual indicator is coupled to shoulder belt and arranged
to be visible to a caregiver after movement of the movable
headrest. The lower visual indicate is coupled to the crotch belt
and is visible after the crotch belt has been moved to a position
that causes the lower visual indicator to match the upper visual
indicator.
[0010] Additional features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out
the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child restraint in
accordance with the present disclosure for use on a passenger seat
in a vehicle, showing a juvenile seat including a seat bottom and a
seat back and a child-restraint harness coupled to the seat bottom
and seat back and configured to restrain a child sitting in the
juvenile seat, and showing that a crotch belt included in the
restraint harness is arranged to pass through an elongated
crotch-belt slot and is coupled to the seat bottom by a crotch-belt
controller included in the child restraint that is configured to
anchor the crotch belt to the seat bottom as suggested in FIGS.
4-7;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 2
showing the upstanding crotch belt of FIG. 1 arranged in a first
position in the crotch-belt slot nearest the seat back and showing
that the crotch-belt controller includes a trapezoid-shaped
controller foundation coupled to an inner surface of a seat pan
included in the seat bottom and a connecting rod arranged to
interconnect the crotch belt and the controller foundation;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the child
restraint of FIG. 1 with portions broken away to reveal first and
second foundation flanges coupled to the inner surface of the seat
pan and spaced apart from one another to locate the crotch belt
therebetween and revealing that the connecting rod is positioned to
lie in a first rod-receiving notch formed in each of the foundation
flanges;
[0015] FIGS. 4-7 show a series of views illustrating movement of
the crotch belt from the first position nearest the seat back to a
fourth position farthest away from the seat back;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the crotch belt
in the first position nearest the seat back and suggesting that a
downward force (single phantom arrow) is first applied to the
crotch belt to cause the crotch belt and connecting rod to move
downwardly out of the first rod-receiving notch so that the crotch
belt may be moved forwardly in the crotch-belt slot as suggested in
FIG. 5 and shown in FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the crotch belt
and the connecting rod after the downward force (solid single
arrow) has been applied to cause the connecting rod to move out of
the first rod-receiving notch so that forward movement of the
crotch belt and connecting rod may occur;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the crotch belt
during movement forward toward the fourth rod-receiving slot and
prior to upward movement into the fourth rod-receiving slot as
suggested in FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the crotch belt
in a fourth position furthest from the seat back;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the child restraint of FIG. 1
with portions broken away suggesting various predetermined
positions in which the crotch belt may be arranged and suggesting
various position in which a movable headrest may be arranged in
cooperation with movement of the crotch belt;
[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial elevation view of the child
restraint of FIG. 8 suggesting that the crotch belt and connecting
rod may anchored to the controller foundation in one of the first,
second, third, and fourth positions;
[0022] FIG. 9A is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 9 showing
various dimensions used to locate the first, second, third, and
fourth rod-receiving notches;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the child
restraint of FIG. 1 showing that both shoulder belts included in
the restraint harness include upper visual indicators that include,
in order from front to back, a diamond-shaped symbol, a
square-shaped symbol, a circle-shaped symbol, and a triangle-shaped
symbol that cooperates with a lower visual indicator coupled to the
crotch belt to communicate to a caregiver which position the crotch
belt should be arranged in so that the upper and lower visual
indicators match; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the child
restraint of FIG. 1 showing that the lower visual indicator that
includes, in order from top to bottom, a diamond-shaped symbol, a
square-shaped symbol, a circle-shaped symbol, and a triangle-shaped
symbol that cooperates with the upper visual indicator to
communicate to the caregiver which position the crotch belt should
be arranged in so that the upper and lower visual indicators
match.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] A child restraint 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure includes a juvenile seat 12, a child-restraint harness
14, and a crotch-belt controller 16 as shown, for example, in FIG.
1. Juvenile seat 12 includes a seat bottom 18, a seat back 20
extending upwardly from seat bottom 18, and a movable headrest 22
mounted for up-and-down movement on seat back 20 relative to seat
bottom 18. Child restraint 10 can be configured to restrain
movement of various sized children. Crotch-belt controller 16 is
configured to provide position-variation means for allowing
movement of crotch belt 24 in a crotch-belt slot 26 toward and away
from seat back 20 while child-restraint harness 14 is configured to
assume an inactive state between a first position that is adapted
for use with a relatively small child and located a first distance
D1 from seat back and a second position that is adapted for use by
a relatively larger child and located a relatively larger second
distance D2 from seat back 20 and for anchoring crotch belt 24 in
one of the first and the second positions at the option of the
caregiver before a shoulder-belt retainer 48 is coupled to crotch
belt 24 is coupled to shoulder belts 31, 32 to establish an active
state of child-restraint harness 14 so that spacing between crotch
belt 24 and seat back 20 in the active state of child-restraint
harness 14 is matched to the size of the child seated on seat
bottom 18.
[0026] A child sitting on juvenile seat 12 is restrained on
juvenile seat 12 by child-restraint harness 14 as suggested in FIG.
2. As an example, child-restraint harness 14 includes first and
second shoulder belts 31, 32, first and second thigh-restraint
belts 41, 42, and crotch belt 24. Shoulder belts 31, 32 are coupled
to seat back 20 of juvenile seat 12 and routed through movable
headrest 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Movable headrest 22 is
mounted on seat back 20 for up-and-down movement relative to seat
bottom 18 so that occupants of various sizes may sit on juvenile
seat 12. During movement of movable headrest 22, shoulder belts 31,
32 move therewith so that shoulder belts 31, 32 are at a height
above seat bottom 18 that corresponds with the vertical position of
movable headrest 22.
[0027] Crotch belt 24 is coupled to seat bottom 18 and is routed
through crotch-belt slot 26 formed in seat bottom 18 as illustrated
in FIGS. 1-3. Crotch-belt slot 26 is arranged to open into a
controller space 40 formed in seat bottom 18. Crotch belt 24 is
coupled to seat bottom 18 for back-and-forth movement in
crotch-belt slot 26 relative to seat bottom 18 so that occupants of
various sizes may be restrained while sitting on juvenile seat 12.
As an example, crotch belt 24 is arranged to lie in a first
position nearest seat back 20 when movable headrest 22 is in a
lowered position nearest seat bottom 18. Crotch belt 24 is moved
outwardly away from seat back 20 as movable headrest 22 is moved
upwardly away from seat bottom 18 so that the position of crotch
belt 24 cooperates with the position of movable headrest.
[0028] Seat bottom 18 includes a seat pan 17 and a seat skirt 19
appended to seat pan 17 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Seat skirt 19 and
seat pan 17 cooperate to define a controller space 40 in which
crotch-belt controller 16 is positioned to lie in. Crotch-belt slot
26 is formed in seat pan 17 and arranged to open into controller
space 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Crotch-belt slot 26 also extends a
direction away from a rearward edge 171 of seat pan 17 and seat
back 20 and toward a forward edge 172 of seat pan 17. Seat pan 17
further includes an outer surface 35 arranged to face in an upward
direction and an opposite inner surface 36 that is arranged to face
opposite outer surface 35.
[0029] Crotch-belt slot 26 is defined by an inner boundary edge 261
and an outer boundary edge 262 as shown in FIG. 9. Inner boundary
edge 261 is positioned to lie between outer boundary edge 262 and
seat back 20. As suggested in FIG. 9, crotch belt 24 extends
through a first region 264 of crotch-belt slot 26 when crotch belt
24 is first distance D1 from seat back 20. First region 264 is
positioned to lie between inner boundary edge 261 and outer
boundary edge 262. Crotch belt 24 extends through a second region
266 when crotch belt 24 is second distance D2 from seat back 20.
Second region 266 is positioned to lie between first region 264 and
outer boundary edge 262 as shown in FIG. 3. Crotch-belt slot 26 is
further divided into a third region 267 and a fourth region 268.
Third region 267 lies between second region 266 and outer boundary
edge 262. Fourth region 268 lies between third region 267 and outer
boundary edge 262.
[0030] The ability to move crotch belt 24 and the ability to anchor
crotch belt 24 is controlled by crotch-belt controller 16 as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. As an illustrative example, crotch-belt
controller 16 includes a controller foundation 28 and a connecting
rod 30 as shown in FIG. 3. Controller foundation 28 is appended to
inner surface 36 of seat pan 17. Connecting rod 30 is arranged to
interconnect controller foundation 28 and crotch belt 24 and
configured to move with crotch belt 24 as shown in FIGS. 4-7 and
FIG. 8 when child-restraint harness 14 is in the inactive
state.
[0031] Controller foundation 28 includes first and second
foundation flanges 33, 34 as shown in FIG. 3. First foundation
flange 33 is spaced apart from second foundation flange 34 to
locate crotch-belt slot 26 therebetween. Crotch-belt slot 26 is
configured to open into a crotch-belt space 38 defined between
foundation flanges 33, 34. Crotch belt 24 is arranged to extend
downwardly through crotch-belt slot 26 and into crotch-belt space
38 and lie between foundation flanges 33, 34. Crotch belt 24
couples to connecting rod 30 in crotch-belt space 38 as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0032] First foundation flange 33 is substantially the same as
second foundation flange 34, and thus, only first foundation flange
33 will be discussed in detail. First foundation flange 33 is
formed to include downwardly opening first, second, third, and
fourth rod-receiving notches 51, 52, 53, and 54 as shown in FIGS. 2
and 4-9A. Each rod-receiving notch 51, 52, 53, and 54 is arranged
to open into controller space 40. Rod-receiving notches 51, 52, 53,
54 are spaced apart from one another by companion fingers 61, 62,
63, 64, and 65. Fingers 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and rod-receiving
notches 51, 52, 53, 54 cooperate to retain connecting rod 30 and
crotch belt 24 in one of the first position, shown in FIGS. 1-3, 8,
and 10, the second position suggested in FIG. 8, the third position
suggested in FIG. 8, and the fourth position shown in FIG. 7 and
suggested in FIG. 8.
[0033] As an illustrative example, first foundation flange 33 has a
trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 9. The trapezoidal shape is
defined by a first leg 331, a first base 332, a second leg 333, and
a fourth base 334. First leg 331 is coupled to inner surface 36 of
seat pan 17. First base 332 intersects first leg 331 at about a
right angle 90. As a result, first base 332 extends away from inner
surface 36 of seat pan 17. Second leg 333 intersects first base 332
to define an included acute angle 60 therebetween. Second base 334
is arranged to interconnect and extend between first and second
legs 331, 333 as shown in FIG. 9. As an example, included acute
angle 60 is about 60 degrees.
[0034] First rod-receiving notch 51 is defined by a first inner
side wall 511, a first outer wall 513, and a first bottom wall 512
as shown in FIG. 9A. First inner side wall 511, second outer side
wall 523, and first bottom wall 512 are included in each foundation
flange 33, 34. First inner side wall 511 is spaced apart from first
outer side wall 513 and first bottom wall 512 is arranged to lie
between and interconnect first inner and outer side walls 511, 513
as shown in FIG. 9A. As an example, first bottom wall 512 has an
inverted U shape which is configured to mate with connecting rod 30
when connecting rod 30 is in the first position and positioned to
lie between first inner and outer walls 511, 513.
[0035] First inner side wall 511 cooperates with a seat-back
reference line 102 to define first distance D1. First bottom wall
512 cooperates with a seat-pan reference line 104 to define a first
depth d1. Together, the dimensions D1, d1 define a location of
first rod-receiving notch 51, and as a result, the first position
of connecting rod 30.
[0036] Second rod-receiving notch 52 is defined by a second inner
side wall 521, a second outer side wall 523, and a second bottom
wall 522 as shown in FIG. 9A. Second inner side wall 521, second
outer side wall 523, and second bottom wall 522 are included in
each foundation flange 33, 34. Second inner side wall 521 is spaced
apart from second outer side wall 523 and second bottom wall 522 is
arranged to lie between and interconnect second inner and outer
side walls 521, 523 as shown in FIG. 9A. As an example, second
bottom wall 522 has an inverted U shape which is configured to mate
with connecting rod 30 when connecting rod 30 is in the second
position and positioned to lie between second inner and outer walls
521, 523.
[0037] Second inner side wall 521 cooperates with seat-back
reference line 102 to define second distance D2. Second bottom wall
522 cooperates with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a second
depth d2. Together, the dimensions D2, d2 define a location of
second rod-receiving notch 52, and as a result, the second position
of connecting rod 30.
[0038] Third rod-receiving notch 53 is defined by a third inner
side wall 531, a third outer side wall 533, and a third bottom wall
532 as shown in FIG. 9A. Third inner side wall 531, third outer
side wall 533, and third bottom wall 532 are included in each
foundation flange 33, 34. Third inner side wall 531 is spaced apart
from third outer side wall 533 and third bottom wall 532 is
arranged to lie between and interconnect third inner and outer side
walls 531, 533 as shown in FIG. 9A. As an example, third bottom
wall 532 has an inverted U shape which is configured to mate with
connecting rod 30 when connecting rod 30 is in the third position
and positioned to lie between third inner and outer side walls 531,
533.
[0039] Third inner side wall 531 cooperates with seat-back
reference line 102 to define a third distance D3. Third bottom wall
532 cooperates with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a third
depth d3. Together, the dimensions D3, d3 define a location of
third rod-receiving notch 53, and as a result, the third position
of connecting rod 30.
[0040] Fourth rod-receiving notch 54 is defined by a fourth inner
side wall 541, a fourth outer side wall 543, and a fourth bottom
wall 542 as shown in FIG. 9A. Fourth inner side wall 541, fourth
outer side wall 543, and fourth bottom wall 542 are included in
each foundation flange 33, 34. Fourth inner side wall 541 is spaced
apart from fourth outer side wall 543 and fourth bottom wall 542 is
arranged to lie between and interconnect fourth inner and outer
side walls 541, 543 as shown in FIG. 9A. As an example, fourth
bottom wall 542 has an inverted U shape which is configured to mate
with connecting rod 30 when connecting rod 30 is in the fourth
position and positioned to lie between fourth inner and outer side
walls 541, 543.
[0041] Fourth inner side wall 541 cooperates with seat-back
reference line 102 to define a fourth distance D4. Fourth bottom
wall 542 cooperates with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a
fourth depth d4. Together, the dimensions D4, d4 define a location
of fourth rod-receiving notch 54, and as a result, the fourth
position of connecting rod 30.
[0042] First and second rod-receiving notches 51, 52 cooperate to
define a receiving-notch reference line 106 as shown in FIG. 9.
Receiving-notch reference line 106 intersects seat-pan reference
line 104 and defines an acute angle 130 therebetween as illustrated
in FIG. 9. As an example, acute angle 130 is about 30 degrees.
Rod-receiving notches 53, 54 also are aligned with and lie on
receiving-notch reference line 106 as shown in FIG. 9.
[0043] Receiving-notch reference line 106 also represents a set of
points which are defined by using distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 and
depths d1, d2, d3, and d4. As a result, the location of connecting
rod 30 may be determined by using the distance and depth
dimensions. As shown below in the table, each position of
connecting rod 30 is identified by the distance and the depth. As
an example, a relationship between predetermined distances is
D1<D2<D3<D4 and a relationship between predetermined
depths is d1>d2>d3>d4.
TABLE-US-00001 Position of Connecting Rod 30 Distance Depth First
Position D1 d1 Second Position D2 d2 Third Position D3 d3 Fourth
Position D4 d4
[0044] When crotch belt 24 is in the first position, an upper edge
98 of shoulder-belt retainer 48, which is coupled to an outer
portion 96 crotch belt 24, is positioned to lie a first height 71
above outer surface 35 of seat pan 17. An inward face 100 of
shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a first
belt-retainer distance 81 from seat back 20 as suggested in FIG.
8.
[0045] As a result of crotch belt 24 being in the first position,
crotch belt 24 is nearest both seat bottom 18 and seat back 20. At
the same time, movable headrest 22 is in a first headrest position
that is a first headrest height H1 above outer surface 35 of seat
pan 17. When crotch belt 24 is in the first position and movable
headrest 22 is in the first headrest position, juvenile restraint
is in a first configuration suitable for restraining a small child
sitting on juvenile seat 12.
[0046] When crotch belt 24 is in the second position, upper edge 98
of shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a second height
72 above outer surface 35 of seat pan 17. Inward face 100 of
shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a second
belt-retainer distance 82 from seat back 20 as suggested in FIG.
8.
[0047] As an example, while crotch belt 24 is in the second
position, movable headrest 22 is in a second headrest position that
is a second headrest height H2 above outer surface 35 of seat pan
17. When crotch belt 24 is in the second position and movable
headrest 22 is in the second headrest position, juvenile restraint
is in a second configuration suitable for restraining a relatively
larger child sitting on juvenile seat 12.
[0048] When crotch belt 24 is in the third position, upper edge 98
of shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a third height 73
above outer surface 35 of seat pan 17. Inward face 100 of
shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a third
belt-retainer distance 83 from seat back 20 as suggested in FIG.
8.
[0049] As an example, while crotch belt 24 is in the third
position, movable headrest 22 is in a third headrest position that
is a third headrest height H3 above outer surface 35 of seat pan
17. When crotch belt 24 is in the third position and movable
headrest 22 is in the third headrest position, juvenile restraint
is in a third configuration suitable for restraining an even larger
child sitting on juvenile seat 12.
[0050] When crotch belt 24 is in the fourth position, upper edge 98
of shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a fourth height
74 above outer surface 35 of seat pan 17. Inward face 100 of
shoulder-belt retainer 48 is positioned to lie a fourth
belt-retainer distance 84 from seat back 20 as suggested in FIG.
8.
[0051] As an example, while crotch belt 24 is in the fourth
position, movable headrest 22 is in a fourth headrest position that
is a fourth headrest height H4 above outer surface 35 of seat pan
17. When crotch belt 24 is in the fourth position and movable
headrest 22 is in the fourth headrest position, juvenile restraint
is in a fourth configuration suitable for restraining still yet an
even larger child.
[0052] Crotch-belt controller 16 further includes a connecting-rod
bias member 29 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. Connecting-rod
bias member 29 is configured to provide means for biasing upwardly
connecting rod 30 to cause connecting rod 30 and crotch belt 24 to
remain in mating contact with rod-receiving notches 51, 52, 53, 54.
As an example, connecting-rod bias member 29 is a spring coupled on
each end of connecting rod 30 and to controller foundation 28. The
springs are configured to provide an upwardly directed bias force
to connecting rod 30.
[0053] Each foundation flange 33, 34 also includes first, second,
third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fingers 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and as
shown in FIG. 9A. First rod-receiving notch 51 is positioned to lie
between first and second fingers 61, 62. Second rod-receiving notch
52 is positioned to lie between second and third fingers 62, 63.
Third rod-receiving notch 53 is positioned to lie between third and
fourth fingers 63, 64. Fourth rod-receiving notch 54 is positioned
to lie between fourth and fifth fingers 64, 65.
[0054] First finger 61 includes a first tip 611, an initial side
wall 612, and first inner side wall 511. First tip 611 cooperates
with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a first length L1 as
shown in FIG. 9A.
[0055] Second finger 62 includes a second tip 621, first outer side
wall 513, and second inner side wall 521. Second tip 621 cooperates
with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a second length L2 as
shown in FIG. 9A.
[0056] Third finger 63 includes a third tip 631, second outer side
wall 523, and third inner side wall 531. Third tip 631 cooperates
with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a third length L3 as
shown in FIG. 9A.
[0057] Fourth finger 64 includes a fourth tip 641, third outer side
wall 533, and fourth inner side wall 541. Fourth tip 641 cooperates
with seat-pan reference line 104 to define a fourth length L4 as
shown in FIG. 9A.
[0058] Fifth finger 65 includes a fifth tip 651, fourth outer side
wall 543, and a last side wall 652. Fifth tip 651 cooperates with
seat-pan reference line 104 to define a fifth length L5 as shown in
FIG. 9A. As an example, first length L1 is greater than second
length L2. Second length L2 is greater than third length L3. Third
length L3 is greater than fourth length L4. Fourth length L4 is
greater than fifth length L5.
[0059] Crotch belt 24 illustratively includes a web 44 and a loop
46 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. Web 44 includes a first end coupled
to a shoulder-belt retainer 48 and an opposite second end coupled
to loop 46 as shown in FIG. 2. Crotch belt 24 also includes means
for rigidifying web 44 to cause web 44 to extend upwardly away from
seat bottom 18 without being coupled to first and second shoulder
belts 31, 32 and to cause connecting rod 30 to move with web 44 in
response to application a downward force F to web 44 to move
connecting rod 30 downwardly away from one of rod-receiving notches
51, 52, 53, and 54 so that a caregiver may reposition crotch belt
24 as desired as suggested in FIGS. 4-7.
[0060] As an example of use, crotch belt 24 and connecting rod 30
begin in the first position nearest seat back 20 and seat bottom 18
as shown in FIG. 4. A caregiver applies downward force F to
shoulder-belt retainer 48 thereby imparting downward force onto
crotch belt 24 and connecting rod 30 to move crotch belt 24 and
connecting rod 30 out of mating contact with first rod-receiving
notch 51. Connecting rod 30 moves downward a distance so as to be
below first tip 611 of first finger 61 as shown in FIG. 5. Once
connecting rod 30 has moved past first tip 611 of first finger 61,
caregiver then applies a forward force F2 while maintaining
downward force F to shoulder-belt retainer 48 to cause connecting
rod 30 and crotch belt 24 to move in a forward direction away from
seat back 20 as shown in FIG. 6. Once the crotch belt 24 and
connecting rod 30 are in the desired location, the fourth position
for example, the caregiver stops applying forward force F2 and
applies an upward force F3 to cause connecting rod to move into
mating contact with fourth rod-receiving notch 54 and be retained
in the fourth position as shown in FIG. 7.
[0061] Child restraint 10 may be configured to restrain children of
various sizes. During reconfiguration of child restraint 10, the
position of movable headrest 22 and crotch belt 24 may be adjusted.
As an example, a child sits on juvenile seat 12 and the caregiver
moves movable headrest 22 to position the child's head between
first and second side wings 55, 56 included in movable headrest 22.
As a result of adjusting movable headrest 22, first and second
shoulder belts 31, 32 move therewith. During upward movement of
movable headrest 22, a length of shoulder belts 31, 32 extending
through and away from movable headrest 22 increases to accommodate
larger children. During downward movement of movable headrest 22,
the length of shoulder belts 31, 32 extending through and away from
movable headrest 22 decreases to accommodate smaller children. Once
the child's head is between side wings 55, 56 of movable headrest
22, the caregiver then moves crotch belt 24 to one of the first,
second, third or fourth predetermined positions that coordinates
with the vertical position of movable headrest 22.
[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 10, and 11, child restraint 10
further includes coordinating means 70 for coordinating movement of
crotch belt 24 with movement of movable headrest 22 to cause crotch
belt 24 to be moved to a predetermined position in response to
movement of movable headrest 22. Coordinated movement of movable
headrest 22 and crotch belt 24 minimizes movement of an occupant
sitting on juvenile seat 12 and restrained by child-restraint
harness 14 in the active state during application of an external
force to juvenile seat 12 and so that comfort of the occupant
sitting on juvenile seat 12 and being restrained by child-restraint
harness 14 is maximized.
[0063] Coordinating means 70 includes an upper visual indicator 57
and a lower visual indicator 58. Upper visual indicator 57 is
coupled to each shoulder belt 31, 32 to move therewith during
movement of movable headrest 22 relative to seat bottom 18 as shown
in FIG. 10. Lower visual indicator 58 is coupled to crotch belt 24
to move therewith as shown in FIG. 11.
[0064] Upper visual indicator 57 includes a first symbol 571 and a
second symbol 572 coupled to an outer surface 86 of each shoulder
belt 31, 32. Outer surface 86 of each shoulder belt 31, 32 is
arranged to face away from movable headrest 22. Second symbol 572
is spaced apart from first symbol 571. First symbol 571 is
positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to front surface 88 of
seat back 20 when movable headrest 22 is in the first headrest
position. Second symbol 572 of upper visual indicator 57 is
positioned to lie between first symbol 571 and front surface 88 of
seat back 20 when movable headrest 22 is in the second headrest
position.
[0065] Lower visual indicator 58 includes a first symbol 581 and a
second symbol 582. Lower visual indicator 58 is coupled to an outer
surface 92 of crotch belt 24 as shown in FIG. 11. Outer surface 92
is arranged to face away from seat back 20. First symbol 581 of
lower visual indicator 58 is positioned to lie in spaced-apart
relation above outer surface 35 of seat pan 17 when crotch belt 24
is in the first position. Second symbol 582 of lower visual
indicator 58 is positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation above
outer surface 35 of seat pan 17 and between first symbol 581 and
outer surface 35 when crotch belt 24 is in the second position.
[0066] Upper visual indicator 57 further includes a third symbol
573 and a fourth symbol 574 as shown in FIG. 10. Third symbol 573
is spaced apart from front surface 88 when movable headrest 22 is
in the third position. Fourth symbol 574 is spaced apart from front
surface 88 when movable headrest 22 is in the fourth position. As
an example, first symbol 571 has a diamond shape, second symbol 572
has a square shape, third symbol 573 has a circle shape, and fourth
symbol 574 has a triangle shape, however, any other suitable shapes
and colors may be used.
[0067] Lower visual indicator 58 further includes a third symbol
583 and a fourth symbol 584 as shown in FIG. 11. Third symbol 583
is spaced apart from outer surface 35 of seat pan 17 when crotch
belt 24 is in the third position. Fourth symbol 584 is spaced apart
from outer surface 35 when crotch belt 24 is in the fourth
position. As an example, first symbol 581 has a diamond shape,
second symbol 582 has a square shape, third symbol 583 has a circle
shape, and fourth symbol 584 has a triangle shape, however, any
other suitable shapes and colors may be used.
[0068] As an example of use, movable headrest 22 has been moved to
the fourth headrest position as shown in FIG. 10 so that fourth
symbol 574 (a triangle) of upper visual indicator 57 is visible to
the caregiver. The caregiver now adjusts the position of crotch
belt 24 so that fourth symbol 584 (a triangle) of lower visual
indicator 58 is visible to the caregiver. Once the symbols on upper
visual indicator 57 match the symbols on lower visual indicator 58,
caregiver has positioned crotch belt 24 to cause minimized movement
of the child restrained on juvenile seat 12 during application of
an external force to juvenile seat 12 and to maximize comfort of
the child restrained on juvenile seat 12.
[0069] Child-restraint harness 14, included in child restraint 10,
includes, for example, first and second shoulder belts 31, 32,
first and second thigh-restraint belts 41, 42 and crotch belt 24 as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Shoulder belts 31, 32 are arranged to pass
through seat back 20 and over the upper torso of the child. Crotch
belt 24 is arranged to extend upwardly through crotch-belt slot 26
formed in seat bottom 18 between thighs of the child. Each
thigh-restraint belt 41, 42 is arranged to extend through seat
bottom 18 over thighs of the child and toward crotch belt 24. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, first shoulder belt 31 and first
thigh-restraint belt 41 are coupled together by a first connector
66. Second shoulder belt 32 and second thigh-restraint belt 42 are
coupled together by a second connector 67. Crotch belt 24 is
coupled to shoulder-belt retainer 48. Shoulder-belt retainer 48 is
configured to selectively receive first and second connectors 66,
67 therein as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0070] Seat back 20 of juvenile seat 12 is formed to include first
belt-travel channel 181 and second belt-travel channel 182 as
shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Movable headrest 22 is mounted on
seat back 20 to cause a first belt-receiving slot 221 formed in
movable headrest 22 to be aligned with first belt-travel channel
181 and a second belt-receiving slot 222 formed in movable headrest
22 to be aligned with second belt-travel channel 182. As a result,
first shoulder belt 31 extends through first belt-travel channel
181 and through first belt-receiving slot 221 and second shoulder
belt 32 extends through second belt-travel channel 182 and through
second belt-receiving slot 222.
[0071] Child-restraint harness 14 further includes a harness
retainer 68 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. As an example, first and
second shoulder belts 31, 32 are arranged to extend from companion
belt-receiving slots 221, 222 formed in movable headrest 22,
through harness retainer 68, and into companion connectors 66, 67.
Harness retainer 68 slides up and down relative to shoulder belts
31, 32 to maintain proper lateral spacing of shoulder belts 31, 32
relative to the child.
[0072] Crotch belt 24 is coupled to connecting rod 30 by loop 46
included in crotch belt 24. Loop 46 may be formed from taking the
second end of web 44 and coupling it back to web 44. As another
example, loop 46 may be a separate element coupled to the second
end of web 44. Loop 46 is formed to include a connecting-bar
passageway 50 and connecting rod 30 is positioned to lie in
connecting-bar passageway 50. As a result, crotch belt 24 is
coupled to connecting rod 30.
[0073] In another example of use, the caregiver is ready to put a
child on juvenile seat 12 after child restraint 10 has been mounted
to a vehicle seat in a vehicle. Once the child occupies the seat,
the caregiver can now adjust a height of the movable headrest while
simultaneously adjusting child-restraint harness to fit the child's
overall size. This is achieved by using an interface that adjusts
up and down. The user fits child-restraint harness over the child,
fastens first and second connectors 66, 67 to shoulder-belt
retainer 48, and adjusts harness retainer 68. Shoulder-belt
retainer 48 is coupled to crotch belt by coupling to a web included
in the crotch belt. The web may be routed through a semi-rigid
flexible stalk also included in the crotch belt. The web and the
semi-rigid flexible stalk extend downwardly through crotch-belt
slot formed in a forward portion of seat bottom and coupling to
connecting rod.
[0074] A color-coded icon (resembling the child's seating area and
thighs) included on the crotch belt may be matched with a harness
icon's color by adjusting the height of the crotch belt. The
semi-rigid flexible stalk may make grasping and moving of the
crotch belt easier.
[0075] To move the crotch belt, the belt retainer is decoupled from
first and second connectors. Force is then applied to the belt
retainer to cause the crotch belt to be pushed downwardly through
the crotch-belt slot until the connecting rod is freed from the
rod-receiving notch included in the controller foundation. The
crotch belt may now be repositioned until the colors on the harness
icons match the color of the crotch-belt icon thus achieving a
predetermined recommended fit. The caregiver then removes the force
and the crotch belt springs into a locked position in the
rod-receiving notches formed in the controller foundation. Under
the seat bottom, the crotch belt is anchored by a connecting rod
that rests on a stepped controller foundation located beneath the
seat bottom. This stepped controller foundation has increments of
adjustment that raise the crotch belt through the seat bottom. The
crotch belt is lengthened forward and up as the child grows in size
and the crotch belt is shortened rearward and down for smaller
sized children.
* * * * *